In this video, leadership expert Dennis McIntee explores a perplexing idea: what if overwhelm, stress, and burnout aren’t really the problem? Instead, what if these emotions are actually symptoms of something deeper stemming from your internal narratives? He’ll probe these questions and offer specific strategies to move beyond the emotions to address the real problems. 

Many health care professionals feel paralyzed by stress or overwhelm. Thoughts like these might run through your head on a daily basis: “I can’t handle this. I’m behind. Everything is urgent.”

However, two physicians can have the exact same duties, responsibilities, and challenges but respond entirely differently. One remains peacefully productive. The other spirals and complains about how stressed and busy they are.

What separates them isn’t the situation itself. It’s the story they tell themselves about that situation. That story shapes how they feel and how they act.

The Internal Job of Emotions

What if overwhelm, stress, and burnout aren’t really the problem?

This idea can feel uncomfortable at first, especially if you’ve used emotions as an excuse to give up or a way to justify your response. Emotions are merely byproducts of how you interpret situations. They aren’t the enemy. They are indicators of something happening at a deeper level. 

Your brain reacts to events based on the story you tell yourself. Some physicians might think, “I can’t do this. It’s too much.” That thought (not the situation) creates feelings of stress and overwhelm. 

Now imagine you tell yourself a different story: “I am trained for this. I can handle it.” That thought changes your feelings. You feel more confident, focused, and calm instead of frustrated or helpless.

Emotions are clues about what you care about or fear. When you feel stress, overwhelm, or frustration, ask yourself: “What am I afraid of right now? What is causing this feeling?” Those questions help you see the root problem and give you a chance to respond with clarity. 

The Story You Tell Yourself

Here’s how this plays out in health care. Imagine two physicians managing the same patient load.

Physician A notices a scheduling conflict and feels irritation rise. They pause and ask, “What am I concerned about here?” They realize the real issue is a fear of disappointing a patient. Instead of stewing, they calmly adjust the schedule, communicate with the team, and keep moving.

Physician B notices the same conflict and immediately thinks, “Everything is a mess. This day is ruined. I can’t keep up.” They get worked up, vent to colleagues, and let the frustration linger, which only feeds a sense of hopelessness and stress.

The difference is the story they tell themselves. Stress and burnout are downstream effects of your internal narrative, not the situation itself.

Why Talking About It Can Make It Worse

One of the biggest mistakes I see among physicians is reinforcing stress by talking about it repeatedly. Complaining about being overwhelmed or stressed doesn’t solve anything. It fuels your brain to confirm the stress, even if it’s not actually there. The more you talk about it, the more certain your brain becomes that you’re 100% right. Then, it spreads to colleagues and team members. Every conversation about stress creates more of the same: more rumination, more helplessness, and more emotional drain.

You have to get to the root cause of your emotion to break the cycle. Notice the emotion, acknowledge it, and then direct your attention to the underlying concern. What are you afraid of or uncertain about? Take the energy you’re wasting on stress and use it to solve the real problem.

Emotions Are Not Your Enemy

I’m not saying emotions don’t show up physically. Sweaty palms, tense shoulders, or a knot in your stomach are real sensations. Too many physicians get stuck there, thinking the emotion is the problem and that nothing can be done.

In reality, your feelings tell you something important is happening. There’s a concern or fear you need to address. If you get lost in your emotions, you’ll miss the signal. But when you can recognize the deeper issue, you can take action on that information. 

For example: 

Feeling anxious before a difficult conversation? That anxiety signals that the conversation matters and you care about the outcome (not that you’re unequipped to have it).

Feeling frustrated with a colleague? That frustration might highlight that you need to clarify expectations, set boundaries, or communicate more clearly (not quit your job).

When you change the story, you can change the outcome. Instead of letting the emotion control you, use it to target what really needs your attention.

Practical Steps to Reframe Emotional Responses

Here’s a simple exercise to practice emotional awareness:

— Identify one situation today that triggered stress, frustration, or overwhelm.

— Write down the story you told yourself about it.

— Ask yourself: What were you afraid of, concerned about, or uncertain about?

— Then, think about a true story you can tell yourself in the future. (“I can handle this. I have support. I am a problem solver.”)

Many professionals feel paralyzed by stress or burnout. They fall into learned helplessness, thinking there is nothing they can do. That’s rarely true. Even small steps matter. When you feel paralyzed, ask, “What can I do right now?” Doing one small thing interrupts the victim mentality and focuses your brain on solutions rather than excuses.

How to Prevent Burnout in Health Care

Over time, reinforcing stress and overwhelm through internal narratives leads to real burnout. You feel depleted, resentful, and detached. Burnout isn’t inevitable. It is the product of repeated stories that amplify stress.

Physicians who take a few moments each day to notice their emotions and ask the right questions consistently preserve their energy. They remain engaged, empathetic, and effective. The difference is subtle in the moment, but the ripple effect is profound.

The Power of Shifting Your Narrative

Overwhelm, stress, and burnout aren’t standalone problems. They are symptoms of the story you tell yourself. By being aware of your narrative and asking the right questions, you can transform how you show up in high-pressure situations. Your emotions become tools to reach root problems faster, without wasting time and energy.

Remember, you don’t have to eliminate stress or emotions entirely. That is impossible. You just have to read them accurately and respond strategically. Each time you do, you increase your resilience, reduce burnout, and reclaim ownership over your life.

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